15 Best Adobe Video Editor Alternatives | Free, Online & Paid

If you're a pro video editor, you know that Adobe Video Editor, much like Adobe Photoshop for photo editing, is one of the most popular and influential ways to edit videos. But what are your other options? Maybe you're just starting out and don't want something so challenging to learn.

Adobe Video Editor is a great program, but it can be expensive for people who don’t edit videos or films for a living. That's why these 15 alternatives to top-tier Adobe video editing software are worth considering. Whether you're looking for something free or you’re on a budget, you're sure to find an option that suits you here.

• Top 3 Alternatives to Adobe Video Editor
• How to Choose an Alternative to Adobe Video Editor
• 15 Best Adobe Video Editor Alternatives | Free, Online & Paid
1. PowerDirector - Best Overall
2. DaVinci Resolve - Best for Independent Filmmakers
3. Avid Media Composer - Best for Advanced Users
4. Final Cut Pro - Best for Apple Users
5. Blender - Best Free Option for Advanced Users
6. Corel VideoStudio - Best for Editing Enthusiasts
7. iMovie - Best for iPhone Videographers
8. Shotcut - Best Free Option for Intermediate Users
9. HitFilm - Best for VFX Hobbyist
10. Lightworks - Best Format Support
11. Adobe Premiere Elements - Best for Organizing Media
12. InVideo - Best for Templates
13. VEGAS Pro - Best Paid Option for Intermediate Users
14. Openshot - Best for Beginners
15. Nero Video - Best Playback
• Best Alternative to Adobe Video Editor Comparison Chart
• How to Edit Videos With an Alternative to Adobe Video Editor
• Download the Best Alternative to Adobe Video Editor for Free
• Alternatives to Adobe Video Editor FAQ

Top 3 Alternatives to Adobe Video Editor

How to Choose an Alternative to Adobe Video Editor

When it comes to choosing a software to edit videos there are a few things you need to consider:

Budget

The most obvious place to start is with your budget. How much can you afford to spend to edit videos? Even if you have all the money in the world, always remember that the most expensive isn’t always the best. You should also decide if you want to invest in something long-term, or only need a temporary solution.

Compatibility

What operating system do you use? Adobe video editing software is only available on Windows and Mac. It also requires a powerful computer with plenty of available RAM. When deciding on an alternative to Adobe Video Editor, be sure to check your computer against the software’s system requirements. 

Skill Level 

How much experience do you have with video editing? If you're a beginner, you'll want something simpler to use. If you're more experienced, you might be able to edit videos with a more complex program.

15 Best Adobe Video Editor Alternatives | Free, Online & Paid

1. PowerDirector - Best Overall

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

PCMag Rating: 5 / 5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $4.33/month

Key Features

• Object Detection
• Video Denoise
• Millions of Royalty-Free Stock assets
• Blending Modes

Who It’s For

PowerDirector is the ideal video editing software for people who are serious about their videos and want to do more with their clips without needing a degree in film. Even professionals find that it has everything they need, while beginners can edit videos right away with no learning curve.

Why We Picked It

Content creators and busy influencers can use PowerDirector’s PiP designer to add animated stickers, shapes, and callouts to their videos. With a dedicated Title Designer, users can quickly create stunning and unique motion titles and credits sequences. You’ll find effects similar to what you’d find in Adobe video editing software such as a mask designer, chroma key, and AI-powered tools like Sky Replacement and Motion Tracking. All of PowerDirector’s advanced tools can be applied in one click, with manual options for more experienced users.

Bottom Line

This Adobe Video Editor alternative is quick and comprehensive, with pro-level features available at consumer-level simplicity. PowerDirector has been renowned for being on the cutting edge of speed and support for new video formats and effects. In fact, it has been PCMag Editors' Choice for years. Even though it comes packed with features, the program’s interface is straightforward and not as daunting as other professional software suites.

Try PowerDirector for free today by clicking the link below.

2. DaVinci Resolve - Best for Independent Filmmakers

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

TechRadar Rating: 4.5 / 5

Price: Free
*Premium version available for $295

Key Features

• Color Grading
• AI-Based Magic Mask
• Multicam Editing

Who It's For

DaVinci Resolve is a powerful alternative to Adobe video editing software used by professionals in the film industry. Some movies that have used it for post-production are Avatar, Dune, and Snakes on a Plane. We love DaVinci Resolve for independent filmmakers because it has a robust free version filled with pro-level tools.

Why We Picked It

This video editing software is divided into Pages, which are dedicated workspaces for each post-production stage from cutting to delivery. It includes a powerful Audio engine with support for 2,000 tracks, precise color grading tools, and high-quality visual effects.

Bottom Line

DaVinci Resolve is a handy video production toolkit that comes with all the features that professionals need for every aspect of post-production. However, this alternative to Adobe video editing software is not for the faint of heart and should only be used to edit videos by experts.

3. Avid Media Composer - Best for Advanced Users

Image from TechRadar.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

G2 Rating: 4.1 / 5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions start at $23.99/month

Key Features

• Multicam Editing with 64 angles
• Motion Effects
• Advanced Color Correction

Who It's For

Avid Media Composer is for you if you want to work in a more professional environment than Adobe Video Editor. It has a similar interface and price, but unlike Adobe, it is fully customizable. Avid Media Composer also has a completely free version you can use as long as you’d like, but even the free version has a steep learning curve and is best left to the pros.

Why We Picked It

We found this video editing software is packed with tools to make cutting large projects easier. For instance, the Timecode tool allows users to overlay timecode on a video clip, and FrameFlex enables users to change the aspect ratio of a video without re-rendering or cropping the image.

Bottom Line

Avid Media Composer is the industry standard used to edit videos. However, this professional software also has a professional price and learning curve. While Avid and DaVinci are good Adobe Video Editor alternatives for professionals, we recommend PowerDirector for editing enthusiasts and content creators who didn’t go to film school. While it has similar features to the other products, it is much easier to use and learn.

4. Final Cut Pro - Best for Apple Users

Image from BolderVideo.

Compatibility: macOS

TechRadar Rating: 4 / 5

Price: $299

Key Features

• Supports 360-degree footage
• Object Tracker
• Motion Graphics

Who It's For

Final Cut Pro is an excellent alternative to Adobe video editing software for professionals seeking a one-time purchase versus a subscription. Apple loyalists will enjoy Final Cut Pro’s many advantages, such as support for videos shot in Cinematic mode on an iPhone, optimization for Apple Silicon, and unrivaled performance on MacBook Pro and Mac Studio.

Why We Picked It

The latest version of Final Cut Pro has a sleek, modern interface without tracks in the timeline.

This Magnetic timeline allows you to edit clips without destroying the original footage. It also utilizes Compound Clips, which allow users to bundle video and audio clips into a movable package. This makes it easy to rearrange your project without having to move each clip individually.

Bottom Line

In our test, we found Final Cut Pro has a relatively simple and more flexible interface than Adobe Video Editor. However, it is very different from Adobe video editing software and other traditional video editors, so if you have previous editing experience, it will take some time to get used to. If you don’t have previous editing experience, it will also take time to get comfortable with the software, as it has a steep learning curve.

5. Blender - Best Free Option for Advanced Users

Image from Blender Artists.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

PCMag Rating: 4 / 5

Price: Free

Key Features

• Live preview
• Waveform Visualization
• Realistic Simulations

Who It's For

Blender is a free and open-source video editing software with many features you would expect to find in an advanced paid program. Blender excels in the area of 3D animation and is the perfect Adobe Video Editor alternative for animators or VFX artists on a budget.

Why We Picked It

Video editors interested in animation will love Blender’s animation toolset, which includes modeling and sculpting tools, a character animation pose editor, and motion paths that can be applied to character bone joints. This alternative to Adobe video editing software is also a full video editor, with adjustment layers, speed controls, and audio mixing tools among others.

Bottom Line

Blender is loaded with tons of capabilities, from video editing to 3D animation. It is the equivalent of combining Adobe After Effects and Adobe Video Editor, but instead of paying over $50 a month for the Adobe products, Blender is entirely free. While we highly recommend Blender for animators, if you are simply looking to edit videos, this is not the tool for you. Blender is highly complicated and filled with tools unnecessary for most video projects.

6. Corel VideoStudio - Best for Editing Enthusiasts

Compatibility: Windows

PCMag Rating: 4 / 5

Price: $79.99 for Pro and $99.99 for Ultimate

Key Features

• Split-Screen templates
• Color Grading
• Motion Tracking

Who It’s For

Corel VideoStudio is an Adobe Video Editor alternative for nonprofessionals such as students, teachers, influencers, and YouTubers. Really anyone looking to create content for the fun of it will enjoy VideoStudio’s many features. 

Why We Picked It

Make unique and exciting home videos with 3D and 360-degree capability, stop-motion animation, animated AR stickers, and interesting face effects. Content creators will enjoy the handy speech-to-text tool, GIF creator, and project templates that allow you to edit videos quickly.

Bottom Line

Intuitive and feature-packed, Corel VideoStudio is a good video editing program for consumers. We placed it above the other enthusiast-level software, iMovie, because VideoStudio has more features. However, both remain below PowerDirector, which has the best balance of advanced features and ease of use.

7. iMovie - Best for iPhone Videographers

Image from DesignBuckle.

Compatibility: macOS

Tom’s Guide Rating: 4 / 5

Price: Free

Key Features

• Green Screen effect
• Speed adjustment tools
• Picture-in-Picture

Who It's For

iMovie is the perfect video editing software for nonprofessionals who want to create a home-style video, such as a child's sports game or a family vacation. Like Final Cut Pro, it is fully optimized for iPhone footage. With this free Adobe video editor alternative, you can adjust the strength of Cinematic Mode, and even shift focus between subjects. You can easily share videos with all of your Apple devices and edit footage on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Why We Picked It

Beginners who don't have much experience editing videos can jump right in with the Storyboards feature. This is a feature that allows you to create a rough draft of your video by piecing together clips in a sequence. Then there’s the Magic Movie tool, which identifies the best parts of your footage and automatically edits a cut with a few clicks.

Bottom Line

iMovie helps people create beautiful digital movies quickly and easily. This is definitely a top alternative to Adobe video editing software for any Mac users who have never tried editing a video. However, in our test, we found our top choice PowerDirector to be more intuitive. And while iMovie won’t grow with you as your editing skills progress, PowerDirector has advanced features to help you bridge the gap between novice and pro.

8. Shotcut - Best Free Option for Intermediate Users

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

TechRadar Rating: 4 / 5

Price: Free

Key Features

• Keyframing
• Audio Mixing
• Blending Modes

Who It’s For

There are 3 open-source Adobe Video Editor alternatives on our list, and Shotcut falls in the middle. It has fewer advanced features than Blender, but more than OpenShot. It is also easier to use than the former, but not as beginner-friendly as the latter, making it our best choice for intermediate users.

Why We Picked It

With Shotcut, you have access to advanced editing features completely free of charge, including 360-degree video filters, color correction and grading tools, and over 40,000 templates. It also offers excellent format support and a wide variety of device and transport options.

Bottom Line

Shotcut is a free, mid-range video editor that is updated regularly to fix bugs and add the newest trends and technology. It is full of features but is missing a few key tools, such as direct uploads to social media and the ability to preview effects. It also has a slight learning curve, so brand-new editors looking for an open-source option should try OpenShot.

9. HitFilm - Best for VFX Hobbyists

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

TechRadar Rating: 4 / 5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions are available for $7.99/month for Creator and $12.99/month for Pro

Key Features

• Audio effects
• Light Leaks and Lens Flares
• Social Media Presets

Who It’s For

We recommend HitFilm for YouTubers and amateur filmmakers interested in VFX. This Adobe Video Editor alternative has over 180 editing effects which include keying, motion tracking, and 3D compositing. It also offers plug-in support to further expand its VFX capabilities.

Why We Picked It

VFX artists can edit videos from start to finish with HitFilm’s standard editing features like trim, crop, split, and flip, as well as drag-and-drop transitions, stock music, and text tools.

Bottom Line

HitFilm list of features may sound daunting, but there are plenty of easy-to-find tutorials right on the UI making it a good choice for beginners to learn to edit videos with VFX. It is also much easier to use than other VFX-heavy software on our list. However, if you are a professional or advanced video editor looking for an Adobe Video Editor or After Effects alternative, you should try Blender or DaVinci Resolve.

10. Lightworks - Best Format Support

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

G2 Rating: 3.5 / 5

Price: 3.5
*Premium subscriptions available for $9.99/month for Lightworks Create and $24.99/month for Lightworks Pro

Key Features

• Multicam editing
• Cloud Storage
• Motion Graphics

Who It’s For

Lightworks is an alternative to Adobe Video Editor for users who need to incorporate different types of media into their videos. It will accept almost any type of media imaginable and allows you to sign in directly to a host of services to retrieve your files (including Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and more). Lightworks covers a range of users with versions at different price points and skill levels.

Why We Picked It

Lightworks can be used to edit videos for social media or the big screen. It has simple social media export options and advanced metadata tools. It’s also a good choice for broadcast editors. A feature we found unique to Lightworks was Automated Quality Control, which automatically ensures your videos meet all major delivery requirements in every country.

Bottom Line

While we were impressed with the tools available in Lightworks’ free version, we were disappointed that it caps exports at 720p. All versions have a learning curve, and it rises with the price point.

11. Adobe Premiere Elements - Best for Organizing Media

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

PCMag Rating: 3.5 / 5

Price: $99.99

Key Features

• Auto-Reframe
• Stop-Motion Animator
• Guided Edits

Who It’s For

Adobe Premiere Elements is a great tool for busy influencers who need a quick and easy way to create and organize content. The software will automatically tag your photos and videos so you can find them easily, or you can create your own folders and tags. Premiere Elements has embraced AI and automation so you can edit videos with as few clicks as possible.

Why We Picked It

Even though this is not professional software like Adobe Video Editor, Premiere Elements has all the tools most people need to create high-quality content. A recent update saw the addition of fun artistic effects, new slideshow templates in modern designs, and 100 more audio tracks added to the stock library.

Bottom Line

This is also a good choice for anyone loyal or familiar with Adobe video editing who is looking for a cheaper and easier alternative. However, if you have a Creative Cloud subscription, you will have to pay extra for Adobe Premiere Elements, as it is not included. What you gain in user-friendliness, you lose in features - you won’t find Multicam, 360-degree, or 3D editing in this video editing software.

12. InVideo - Best for Templates

Image from hindustantimes.

Compatibility: Web browser

Digital Camera World Rating: 3.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $15/month for Business and $30/month for Unlimited

Key Features

• 40+ Fluid Animations
• Record Voice Over
• Team Collaboration tools

Who It’s For

InVideo is an online video editor for those who don’t want to install software on their computer. This Adobe Video Editor alternative has over 5,000 professionally-designed templates in easily searchable categories. These fully-customizable templates make InVideo ideal for beginners or those with fast-approaching deadlines to edit videos.

Why We Picked It

InVideo comes with a unique text-to-video editor where you can convert a blog, article, or script into a video. There are over 50 themes to choose from that will animate your text and add eye-catching colors. If you prefer more creative control, you can work from scratch to create your video, and even incorporate your brand kit.

Bottom Line

This is a quick and easy option for people who edit on the go since it is entirely online and accessible anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection. The biggest hurdle we found when trying to edit videos with this software was the export quality. The free version only exports videos at 720p, while the paid versions only go up to 1080p.

13. VEGAS Pro - Best Paid Option for Intermediate Users

Compatibility: Windows

TechRadar Rating: 3 / 5

Price: $12.99/month for Vegas Edit, $19.99/month for Vegas Pro, and $29.99/month for Vegas Post

Key Features

• Text-to-Speech tool
• Color LUTs
• Royalty-Free stock content

Who It's For

VEGAS Pro falls right in the middle of other Adobe Video Editor alternatives on our list as far as ease of use, price, and feature set, making it a great choice for intermediate editors. It offers team collaboration tools and pro-level color grading but is easier to use than DaVinci Resolve or Avid Media Composer.

Why We Picked It

This alternative to Adobe video editing software also has advanced audio editing tools you can use to record podcasts and voice-overs, create sound effects, mix audio, and remove background noise. We enjoyed using the AI tools, which allowed us to apply effects like style transfers, colorization of black-and-white footage, and content upscaling with one click.

Bottom Line

Vegas Pro goes beyond the basics while remaining a viable option for editing enthusiasts. However, the interface is not very intuitive, and tutorials for the software are hard to find, so beginners will struggle. We recommend PowerDirector as a better alternative. It also comes with AI tools and advanced color and audio features, but it remains easy enough for first-time users. It also offers all of its tools for about a third of the price of VEGAS’s lowest-tier software. 

14. Openshot - Best for Beginners

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Creative Bloq Rating: 3 / 5

Price: Free

Key Features

• Support for over 70 languages
• Audio Waveforms
• 40+ Vector Title Templates

Who It’s For

OpenShot is another free, open-source video editing software with a simple layout and refreshingly spartan UI, which makes it unintimidating for beginners. However, with so many hidden tools, most people who use OpenShot won’t discover all it has to offer. Beginners will also love the easy drag-and-drop effects and transitions, and appreciate the easy-to-use advanced features like time effects and 3D animation.

Why We Picked It

Though most users won’t go above the 5-track default, OpenShot allows you to add an unlimited number of tracks for audio, photos, overlays, and more. It comes with a background remover, color inverter, title editor, and everything a beginner would need to create high-quality videos.

Bottom Line

OpenShot is beginner-friendly with some advanced features, and it is lightweight on computer resources. It is an excellent way to edit videos for anyone just starting or wanting to learn more about the editing process. However, it is below other beginner-friendly options like PowerDirector and iMovie because it is not very stable, and many effects are hit-or-miss.

15. Nero Video - Best Playback

Image from Nero Video.

Compatibility: Windows

PCMag Rating: 3 / 5

Price: $59.95

Key Features

• Multitrack timeline
• AI Upscaling
• Green Screen effect

Who It’s For

Nero Video is a much cheaper and easier alternative to Adobe Video Editor for beginners on a budget. We found you can playback your footage on any screen at full-size. Nero comes with an Extended Screen option that automatically eliminates the black bars found in widescreen. You can also import vertical videos taken on your smartphone and edit them with perfectly staged vertical templates.

Why We Picked It

With this video editing software, you can edit videos in Express Mode (Storyboard view) or Advanced Mode (traditional timeline), depending on your skill level. Beginners will also appreciate the 1,000+ video templates and automatic movie options, while more advanced users will like the range of video effects. Effects include tilt shift, slow motion, keyframe animations, and more.

Bottom Line

Nero Video offers lots of tools at a fraction of the price of some of the other Adobe Video Editor alternatives on our list. But as usual, you get what you pay for. Nero lacks advanced tools, has an outdated interface, and has slow performance. If you are looking for an inexpensive and easy-to-use alternative to Adobe video editing software, we recommend PowerDirector.   

Best Alternative to Adobe Video Editor Comparison Chart

How to Edit Videos With an Alternative to Adobe Video Editor

Here is a quick tutorial on how to edit videos using PowerDirector. Click the link below to download our #1 video editing software and follow along.

1. Open up the software and upload the video(s) you wish to edit by clicking the Import Media Files icon in the top left of your screen.

2. Once your video files are in the Media Library, drag and drop them onto the Video Timeline.
3. Trim clips by moving the Video Timeline Slider to the place where you want to trim your video. Click the Scissors icon above the timeline to Trim. If you want to split your clip, click the Cutter icon. 

4. Click on the Transition Room icon which looks like a lightning bolt and can be found in the left-hand vertical menu. Here you can preview transitions, then drag your favorite between two clips.  

5. Enter the Title Room (letter T icon) and drag your preferred title template to the title track. You can customize your text using the Text Designer.

6. Select Media Content, then Background Music to add a background track to your video. Download your favorite, then drag it to the audio track on your timeline.  

7. Click the Produce tab from the top left of your screen to export your video. Once you’ve selected your output format and location, hit Start to produce and save your video. 

For more information on how to edit videos with PowerDirector, visit the Learning Center.

Download the Best Alternative to Adobe Video Editor for Free

PowerDirector is the best alternative to Adobe Video Editor. Like Adobe, PowerDirector offers a wide range of advanced tools and features that home video creators, social media influencers, YouTubers, and independent filmmakers can use to edit videos from start to finish. However, PowerDirector is much easier to use and costs much less. 

Of all the alternatives to Adobe Video Editor on this list, PowerDirector is #1, with the best combination of value, features, and user-friendliness. 

It is free to download, so you can check it out for yourself by clicking the link below. See why PCMag named PowerDirector “The best enthusiast-level video editor money can buy.”